Personal odor and nonverbal communication

Schleidt, Margret

doi:10.1016/0162-3095(80)90009-6

Cited by 58 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Nonetheless, both males from females were slightly more likely to choose their own sex for the unworn shirt. These results are in disagreement with previous studies (Hold and Schleidt, 1977;Schleidt, 1980;Schleidt et al, 1981). In these experiments, subjects (20 -64%) were not only able to discriminate males from females, but many deemed female odor to be "more pleasant" than male.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 57%

“…However, the authors were not interested in purely biological odors and did not control for any extraneous scents. The majority of other studies that have tackled human odor recognition have concentrated their efforts on the recognition of partners (Hold and Schleidt, 1977;Schleidt, 1980;Schleidt et al, 1981). These studies are insufficient to examine effects of familiarity because subjects were also influenced by sexual attraction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have shown evidence for odor-mediated self-recognition (Russell, 1976;Hold and Schleidt, 1977;Schleidt, 1980;Schleidt et al, 1981;Lord and Kasprzak, 1989;Platek et al, 2001). Mothers can recognize olfactory cues from their infants within a few hours of birth (Porter and Cernoch, 1983;Russell et al, 1983;Kaitz et al, 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Olfaction and Identification of Unrelated Individuals: Examination of the Mysteries of Human Odor Recognition

2006

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Although several studies have examined the effect of human odor on kin recognition and mate choice, few have focused on the impact of familiarity on recognition of nonrelatives by olfactory cues. As part of a program designed to engage students in scientific research, 53 high school students researched, planned, and implemented a project to analyze the effect of odor on human recognition of, and preference for, friends, sex, and self. A total of 37 students, including friends of their choosing, wore T-shirts for three consecutive nights. During that time, subjects were controlled for exposure to extraneous perfumes, household odors, and other humans. The students were then asked to smell a series of five shirts and evaluate them with respect to pleasantness. Students were also asked to identify the shirts belonging to themselves and their friend, and determine the sex of the person who wore each shirt. Although subjects were unable to distinguish sex by olfactory cues alone, a significant percentage of subjects were able to identify their own odor (51.6%), as well as distinguish the odor cue of their friend (38.7%). Additionally, subjects who could not identify their friend_s cue were apt to choose the odor of a member of the opposite sex as their friend. This result was not believed to rely on odor preference as neither individual, friend, nor stranger odors were rated significantly different with respect to odor pleasantness. The ability to recognize friends via odor cues lends credence to the hypothesis that association and familiarity are important aspects of conspecific olfactory recognition in humans. Furthermore, this study augments evidence that olfaction may supplement visual and auditory cues used in human conspecific and kin recognition.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 57%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Olfaction and Identification of Unrelated Individuals: Examination of the Mysteries of Human Odor Recognition

2006

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“…These odorants may also be present in all of our bodily fluids and secretions and are regulated and/or produced in part by the set of genes that code for immune function (human leucocyte antigen; HLA). Several studies have demonstrated that axillary volatiles collected on pads and/or T-shirts allow individuals to identify their own odor as well as those of their spouse and close kin (Schleidt, 1980;Porter and Moore, 1981;Schleidt et al, 1981;Cernoch and Porter, 1985;Hepper, 1988). These studies strongly suggest that axillary secretions contain odorants unique to individuals that may be used for identification (signaler pheromone).…”

Section: Source and Signal: Axillary Chemistry And Pheromone Creationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Facts, fallacies, fears, and frustrations with human pheromones

2004

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Among primates in general, pheromones are of variable importance to social communication. Data on humans have generated the greatest controversy regarding the existence of pheromonal communication. In this review, the likelihood of pheromonal communication in humans is assessed with a discussion of chemical compounds produced by the axilla that may function as pheromones; the likelihood that the vomeronasal organ (VNO), a putative pheromone receptor organ in many other mammals, is functional in humans; and the possible ways pheromones operate in humans. In the human axilla, the interactions between the cutaneous microflora and axillary secretions render this region analogous to scent glands found in other primates. Both the chemistry of axillary secretions and their effects on conspecifics in humans appear to be analogous to other mammalian pheromone systems. Whichever chemical compounds serve a pheromonal function in humans, another unknown is the receptor. Although the VNO has been implicated in the reception of pheromones in many vertebrates, it is not the only pathway through which such information has access to the central nervous system; there is ample evidence to support the view that the olfactory epithelium can respond to pheromones. Furthermore, if a chemical activates receptors within the VNO, this does not necessarily mean that the compound is a pheromone. An important caveat for humans is that critical components typically found within the functioning VNO of other, nonprimate, mammals are lacking, suggesting that the human VNO does not function in the way that has been described for other mammals. In a broader perspective, pheromones can be classified as primers, signalers, modulators, and releasers. There is good evidence to support the presence of the former three in humans. Examples include affects on the menstrual cycle (primer effects); olfactory recognition of newborn by its mother (signaler); individuals may exude different odors based on mood (suggestive of modulator effects). However, there is no good evidence for releaser effects in adult humans. It is emphasized that no bioassay-guided study has led to the isolation of true human pheromones, a step that will elucidate specific functions to human chemical signals.

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“…For instance, it has been demonstrated that people tend to accurately identify the sex (Russell 1976;Schleidt 1980), age group (Mitro et al 2012), and even health status (Olsson et al 2014) of those they smell. Previous studies have also shown that even more specific information can be inferred -people appear to be able to accurately identify the body odors of their children, siblings (Porter and Moore 1981), and even friends (Olsson et al 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the relationship between olfactory sensitivity and personality in HIV-seropositive and healthy men

et al. 2018

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The aim of this study was to further elucidate the relationship between the olfactory system and psychosocial functioning. Previous studies have shown that olfactory sensitivity is related to traits such as extraversion, agreeableness, and emotionality. In this study, the model of agency and communion as well as additional measures of social activity were used. The possible influence of HIV infection, believed to affect both chemosensory functions and social behaviors, was examined. 103 male participants were analyzed, of whom 45 were infected with HIV. Olfactory sensitivity was significantly related to the level of communion (p = .01), trait defined as interpersonal warmth, devotion to others, and morality. The effect was independent of the presence of HIV. Eagerness to engage in social activities, a construct indicating how actively one takes part in social life, was positively associated with olfactory sensitivity only in HIV+ individuals (p = .003). This result may imply that active participation in social life can buffer olfactory impairments in HIV patients.

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Personal odor and nonverbal communication

Cited by 58 publications

References 3 publications

Olfaction and Identification of Unrelated Individuals: Examination of the Mysteries of Human Odor Recognition

Olfaction and Identification of Unrelated Individuals: Examination of the Mysteries of Human Odor Recognition

Facts, fallacies, fears, and frustrations with human pheromones

On the relationship between olfactory sensitivity and personality in HIV-seropositive and healthy men

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